Mubtaahij, second in the Dubai World Cup for Mike de Kock in March, continues to make waves on his current stint in the US and was denied by a whisker in the $600000 Woodward at Saratoga on Saturday.

Shaman Ghost, under Javier Castellano, split horses in deep stretch and outlasted Mubtaahij to the wire to win the Woodward by a head. It was another head back to Frosted, the 2-5 favorite, who had to come eight wide in the stretch.

Frosted got third by a head over Breaking Lucky, who was 7 1/4 lengths clear of Tapin Mojo.

Shaman Ghost was a relatively close-up fourth throughout, while Frosted raced in sixth position about six lengths off the pace.

Entering the far turn, Shaman Ghost, Samraat, and Frosted launched their bids. But with Bradester in the No. 4 path and Breaking Lucky off his flank in the No. 5  path, Shaman Ghost, Samraat, and Frosted had to come six, seven, and eight wide.

Meanwhile, Mubtaahij, who raced in seventh under Irad Ortiz Jr., was able to save some ground around the turn and entering the stretch.  He made a bid for the lead at the eighth pole inside of Shaman Ghost, who was splitting horses, Breaking Lucky, who was persevering, and Frosted, who was still under a hand ride.

Little separated that quartet from the sixteenth pole to the wire, but Shaman Ghost was able get up over Mubtaahij, Frosted, and Breaking Lucky.

Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer of Frosted, said the trip probably cost his horse.

“I thought we were going to get there, but the horse was very wide and the fractions weren’t very fast,” McLaughlin said. “He just didn’t have his ‘A’ game today.”

McLaughlin said it was too early to say what the future holds for Frosted, who has already secured fees-paid berths into the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Frosted is winless in three tries at 1 1/4 miles.

McLaughlin is also the trainer of Mubtaahij, who despite breaking from the outside post had a good trip in comparison to his rivals, but couldn’t match strides with Shaman Ghost late.

“Mubtaahij ran great, post position hurt him,” McLaughlin said.

It is likely that Shaman Ghost and Mubtaahij will meet again in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

DRF.com (David Grening)

Picture: Horseracingnation.com

Sales toppers the world over have mostly not lived up to expectations. Two that spring immediately to mind are The Green Monkey and even more spectacularly Snaafi Dancer. Both were expensive failures on the track and to add insult to injury, Snaafi Dancer also proved infertile at stud.

Closer to home, Horizon, a R5.2 million purchase started favourite at Kenilworth yesterday and finished with only four behind him on debut. To be fair he is a magnificent specimen and judged on his pedigree and his action going to the start, he should prove a better proposition over much further. The jury is still out on this one.

That said, Savannah Cat, a R4,75 million purchase by Fort Wood steps out in the first at Scottsville on Sunday for Duncan Howells.  The majority of the field are also having their first race so one can read nothing into the form but news from the yard is that Savannah Cat is showing good work and the stable is cautiously optimistic.

Of the three that have run, Northern Storm didn’t feature on the poly after two promising efforts over tomorrow’s course and distance behind subsequent stakes winners in A Womens Way and Querari Falcon.

Gavin van Zyl has declared blinkers on his filly along with four-claiming apprentice Dennis Schwarz so she is likely to be hopping along from the jump.

Howells has three strong contenders in the second but his trio are up against a few others that have shown promise. Anthony Delpech stays

aboard Sir Edmund who was caught three jumps from the line at his last start and may prove the pick although Amazon King is sure to improve on his debut effort as should Roy’s Magic who finished ahead of his stable companion at much longer odds.

Second in that same race that afternoon was the Michael Roberts-trained Cabinda who was virtually friendless in the market which suggests that this form may prove suspect. My Pal Al has shown up nicely in two starts for Alistair Gordon, his debut effort behind subsequent Gr1 winner Gunner, and he too warrants serious consideration.

Dennis Drier, KZN Champion Trainer for last season by races won, has got his current season off to a rollicking start with 13 winner’s in the first month and can add to that tally in the KZN 3YO Series Fillies that heads the 10-race card. He saddles Anime, yet to finish out of the first three in four outings including two close-up efforts behind A Womens Way and Querari Falcon.

She was unlucky when touched off in her first outing on the poly and is likely to start at fairly cramped odds on Sunday.

Howells has a yard full of lightly raced fillies that he is loath to start on the poly and he starts to maidens in the race in Accidental Tourist and Rainbowinthesky. The latter makes her debut but Accidental Tourist made a smart debut when third behind the highly rated Maple Story and the Howells-trained Online who franked that form when winning last Sunday.

Just how strong that form is, only the race will tell but given that Accidental Tourist is likely to improve many lengths on her debut effort, she will be a threat to Anime.

Andrew Harrison

Le Harve can benefit from a step up in distance to make his class tell in the Lakey Financial Services Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Richard Fourie’s mount is a full brother to the Scottsville 1 200m Grade 1 winner Normanz and all his three runs so far have been over 200m less. Indeed the doubts with this one are that the trip may not be far enough.

“Le Harve is not a sprinter and really he needs further. I would have preferred to run him in a 1 400m but there isn’t one,” says Justin Snaith. “However he will run a big race.”

He seems almost certain to start favourite – the stable had three favourites (and two winners) here on Wednesday – and the main danger could come from fellow three-year-old Caballo Blanco who is held in high regard by Bass Racing but has not raced since winning his maiden five months ago – “he is a nice horse but he will probably need it,” says Candice.

The same two stables dominate race two, the MCNS Group Maiden, and One Direction makes most appeal despite his poor draw after going so close against odds-on shot Rock Of Africa over a furlong less on debut.

The Bass-Robinson hope Logan was a little disappointing when favourite over a mile last time – he appeared to have every chance – but he represents a major threat on his previous short head second over this trip.

Contessa Fantasia has drawn even worse in the Test Kitchen Maiden 35 minutes later and, while it might appear to be tempting providence to tip her, she had the speed to dispute the early lead last time so Richard Fourie may be able to get her across. The Glen Kotzen pair Main Ambition and Insinya look dangerous while Amazingly would not have to find much more.

Captains Companion would be the bet of the day in the St Dalfour Handicap if you could get the 8-1 of the TAB sheet forecast but the bookies are unlikely to be anywhere near as generous. However Corne Orffer’s mount would still look attractive at half those odds.

After two uncharacteristically poor runs, different tactics were employed and she led until 30m out, going under by only half a length to Miss Marker. “She pulled up sore when she disappointed previously,” Brett Crawford recalls. “But she is a big-actioned filly and so she likes to be able to use herself properly and I think the improvement was a combination of the two factors.”

Harold Crawford also fancies his chances here with Can Cope who put up the most extraordinary performance when beaten little more than two lengths over this trip three weeks ago. “She put her head down in the pens and lost about eight lengths,” says her trainer. “She had never done that before so I am hoping she jumps OK this time.”

Michael Clower

The Gr 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m is the headliner on the Turffontein Inside track tomorrow and it sees the reappearance of one of the most exciting sprinters in the country, the Gary Aleaxander-trained Kangaroo Jack.

This four-year-old Querari gelding won the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville on June 17 in effortless style. The form of that race has worked out exceptionally well so the six point raise he was given now looks lenient. The draw of seven should not be a problem as he relaxes well in the running and has a devastating turn of foot. Andrew Fortune takes over the reins from Craig Zackey. Kangaroo Jack should come into his own this season and it would be no surprise to see him in the top echelon by the time the big sprint races come around. He has run well fresh over 1450m before so he should be fine running over this shorter trip tomorrow following a two-and-a-half month layoff.

Thrust could be his biggest danger. This lightly raced five-year-old has plenty of class and the best might not have been seen of him yet. His late finishing surge is impressive and from a plum draw and carrying a nice galloping weight of 54,5kg it could be seen at its maximum tomorrow.

Sean Tarry regarded Buckland as his first choice for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint but he was unfortunately eliminated. His best form has been down the straight but he is maturing and has Strydom up from a fair draw so cannot be left out.

The third topweight is Moofeed, who might need gelding such has been his disappointing form lately. He is 5kg better off with Kangaroo Jack for a 5,7 length beating from the Post Mechants so could earn from a good draw if producing his best.

Amazing Strike was beaten nearly ten lengths in the Post Merchants and although capable of better he has a tough draw of ten to overcome tomorrow.

The consistent Mike Azzie-trained Angel’s Power is 2,5kg better off with Thrust for a two length beating over 1160m, but it won’t be easy from draw eight.

Prince Of Orange is an interesting contender having his third run for a new yard. He has not been disgraced before against the best over further. This is the first time he has run in a sprint since winning his maiden two years ago and his class could pull him through, especially as he jumps from a plum draw of three.

Lunar Approach also has some class and won over this course and distance on debut. He returns from a five month layoff but can’t be ignored running fresh over a trip sharper than ideal.

Vincente and Mod Barley both have speed. However, the trip will stretch them. Mod Barley, from a good draw, could earn.

Kostya Zu has no chance at the weights, being 9kg under sufferance. However, this is his second run after more than a year’s layoff and he has run well against some good types before, so he could still prove better than his merit rating suggests.

The selection is Kangaroo Jack to beat Thrust with Buckland, Prince Of Orange and Lunar Approach next best.

The Non-Black Type Locfire Services For The Ladies stakes over 1200m is an equally interesting race. However, Crown Of Roses has been in fine form and this classy type could defy topweight from pole position. This will be her first start on this track but from pole position with Andrew Fortune up she should handle it. Happyvalentine was within a length in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson. She looks to be the biggest threat as she also has a plum draw.

The best bet on the card could be Boy Boy in race 5. He was a touch unlucky when last trying this 2000m trip at the Vaal and has proven in the past to be suited to middle distance races at this course no matter the draw.

David Thiselton

 

Western Cape and Highveld trainers dominated the Gr 1 races last season. There were 30 Gr 1s in the season if last year’s postponed eLan Gold Cup meeting is excluded and Highveld trainers won 15 Gr 1s between them, the Western Cape won 13 and KZN won two.

There were 24 individual Gr 1 winners during the season, eleven of them were Highveld-trained, eleven were Western Cape-trained and two were KZN-trained.

Highveld trainer Sean Tarry’s Legal Eagle and Western Cape trainer Mike Bass’s Inara each won three Gr 1s apiece.

Highveld trainer Alec Laird’s Smart Call and Highveld trainer Mike Azzie’s SA Triple Crown hero Abashiri each won two Gr2s.

Tarry and Bass both won five Gr 1s during the season with three individual horses, Tarry’s trio being Legal Eagle, Carry On Alice and Cloth Of Cloud, and Bass’s being Inara, Silver Mountain and Marinaresco.

Azzie won four Gr 1s with three individual horses, Abashiri, Rabada and Querari Falcon.

The only multiple Gr 1-winning yards besides Tarry, Bass, Azzie and Laird, were Justin Snaith, Vaughan Marshall and Joey Ramsden.

Snaith’s pair It’s My Turn and Bela-Bela won one Gr 1 apiece, Marshall clinched to Gr 1s on the same day with two-year-olds The Secret Is Out and Always in Charge, and Ramsden won the big one, the Vodacom Durban July, with The Conglomerate, and the Mercury Sprint with Red Ray a couple of weeks later.

Trainers who each won one Gr 1 apiece were the Highveld’s Geoff Woodruff  (Master Sabina); Highveld’s Mike de Kock (Noah From Goa); Western Cape’s Brett Crawford (Gulf Storm); Highveld’s Stanley Ferreira (Juxtapose); Western Cape’s Dean Kannemeyer (Real Princess); Highveld’s Coenie de Beer (Talktothestars); KZN’s Weiho Marwing (Mac De Lago); and KZN’s Paul Gadsby (Gunner).

The leading Gr 1-winning jockeys in the season were Anton Marcus with six and Anthony Delpech, Piere Strydom and Grant van Niekerk with four each.

Marcus won three Gr 1s aboard Legal Eagle and one apiece on Rabada, Always in Charge and Red Ray. Delpech’s four Gr 1 wins were on Noah From Goa, Bela-Bela, Real Princess and Querari Falcon; Strydom’s were on It’s My Turn, Talktothestars, Mac De Lago and The Conglomerate; and Van Niekerk won three Gr 1s on Inara and one on Marinaresco.

Other jockeys to win multiple Gr 1s were national champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo on Carry On Alice and Cloth Of Cloud and Karl Zechner, who rode Abashiri in all of his races during the season.

Jockeys to win one Gr 1 apiece were Gavin Lerena (Master Sabina); Aldo Domeyer (Silver Mountain); Weichong Marwing (Smart Call); JP van der Merwe (Smart Call); Corne Orffer (Gulf Storm); Chase Maujean (Juxtapose); MJ Byleveld (The Secret Is Out); and Brandon Lerena (Gunner).

Perennial champion owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste owned or had shares in six horses which won eight Gr 1 races between them (officially they had nine as Rabada also won on Gold Cup day last year). The six horses were Legal Eagle, Cloth Of Cloud, Rabada, Always In Charge, The Conglomerate and Red Ray. It was the Joostes’ first victory in the July.

Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren deservedly clinched their first Gr 1 win when Abashiri won the SA Classic and they added two more courtesy of Abashiri and Querari Falcon.

Drakensten Stud won three Gr 1s as owners, all with their home-bred Inara.

Mauritzfontein won two Gr1s as owners with their home-bred Smart Call.

Top owner Chris van Niekerk has shares in both Carry On Alice and Cloth Of Cloud and Hassen Adams also had a Gr 1 double as part-owner of both Mac De Lago and Gunner.

Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm are the breeders of Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle and other studs who were in the winner’s enclosure more than once as breeders were: Drakenstein Stud with Inara; Mauritzfontain Stud with Smart Call and Marinaresco; Lammeskraal Stud, who bred Abashiri and Red Ray; Klawervlei Stud with Carry On Alice, Always In Charge and Real Princess; and Highlands Farms Stud with Silver Mountain and Cloth Of Cloud, who are both out of Equus Champion broodmare Our Table Mountain;

Those who bred one Gr 1 winner each were National Champion Breeders Summerhill Stud with Rabada; Michael de Broglio owns and bred Master Sabina; Wilgerbosdrift Stud bred Noah From Goa, whom they also part-own; Willem Engelbrecht bred It’s My Turn; Ascot Stud bred Gulf Storm; Varsfontein Stud bred Juxtapose (they also own Bela-Bela); Scott Brothers bred Talktothestars; BBP Syndicate bred The Secret Is Out; Cheveley Stud bred Bela-Bela; Querari Falcon was bred by the late BH Botha, Arne J Botha and ME Botha; and Nadeson Park bred Gunner. Both Mac De Lago and The Conglomerate were bred in Australia.

The leading Gr 1-winning stallions were National Champion Sire Trippi, father of Inara and Real Princess; Captain Al , sire of Carry On Alice, Cloth Of Cloud, The Secret Is Out and Always In Charge; Greys Inn, sire of Legal Eagle; Dynasty sire of Bela-Bela and It’s My Turn; Silvano sire of Silver Mountain and Marinaresco; Ideal World, sire of Smart Call; and Go Deputy, sire of Abashiri;

Those stallions who had one Gr 1 winner each were Jet Master (Master Sabina); Tiger Ridge (Noah From Goa); Sail From Seattle (Gulf Storm); Judpot (Juxtapose); Brave Tin Soldier (Rabada); Overlord (Talktothestars); Western Winter (Red Ray); Querari (Querari Falcon); Gimmethegreelight (Gunner);  Encosta de Lago (Mac de Lago); and Lonhro (The Conglomerate).

David Thiselton